For new visitors to Florida, it is a hidden Gem away from the hubbub of the Parks, bright lights and glitz.

It has all of the tranquillity you could ever want to enjoy, with a quaint Main Street, Custom Shops, Cinema, a gorgeous Lake, complete with Alligators  and a variety Dining places to sit and enjoy the unique ambiance. Our favourite is The Tavern, with it’s New England Fish menu an absolute must, snow crabs, Maine lobsters are the best.

Throughout the year the Towns folk have Special events for each & everyone and it is all free.

We always make an effort to go down, especially on Sundays to sit in the Rocking Chairs on the promenade to chill for a little while and get our energy back for the next attack at The Parks with the Grandchildren. We thought that some visitors would find the time to venture down so we have the events due for this year. We can really recommend the Great American Pie Festival in April. We were fortunate to be here 2 years ago with our two grandsons and they had a fantastic time. Firstly making their own Cherry Pies, then joining in the Fastest Eater competition, we still enjoy the video. 

CELEBRATION TOWN CENTER 2010 SPECIAL EVENTS 

MARCH 27TH & 28TH.           SPRING ART FEATIVAL

APRIL 16TH & 17TH.             CELEBRATION Exotic Car Festival

APRIL 24TH & 25TH              THE GREAT AMERICAN PIE FESTIVAL

JULY 4TH.                              A FLASH BACK 4TH. JULY (Live music, parade, fireworks & 50s theme)

JULY 23RD – 25TH.                SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE (TV SHOW “SURVIVOR” WINNERS & CAST)

OCTOBER 8TH & 9TH.            OKTOBERFEST (Autumn German Themed Street Party)

NOVEMBER 6TH.                   ALFA ROMEO CAR SHOW

NOV. 27TH – DEC. 31          NOW SNOWING NIGHTLY (Snow Falls every hour, Strolling Santa, Photos etc)

DECEMBER 11TH.                  RADIO DISNEY CONCERT (Jump, Jingle & Jam to your favourite Disney Artist)

We hope you are luck enough to catch one of these shows, it really is worth it for a Family Day out.

Have Fun

Mary & Larry

The only surprise here is that this beautiful quiet oasis is situated in downtown Orlando just a few minutes from the I4 and is only a stone throw away from the theme parks, shopping malls and other visitor attractions. The easiest route we have found is to leave the I4 at exit 85 taking Princeton Street east to the intersection with Mills Avenue. Turn right here and then left on to Virginia Drive at the next major intersection. The road curves to the left into Forest Avenue and the entrance to Leu Gardens can be found on your right.

Harry P Leu Gardens is set in fifty acres of land backing on to Lake Rowena. In a previous incarnation it was the lakefront estate of a local citrus entrepreneur before being bought by Harry P Leu in the late 1930s. He then scoured the world for exotic plant species and dedicated the next twenty-five years to completing the transformation of the grounds into the wonderful gardens to be seen today.

Originally the grounds were designated as a drive-through garden but over time it became more obvious that the visitor would rather take their time and get closer to nature. As a result numerous foot trails were laid to complement the existing paved walk-ways and a gazebo together with additional seating areas were provided, all encouraging a more sensory experience to the garden lover.

The paths lead through a canopy of giant oaks, camphors and palms, all of which protect the dazzling displays of camellia from the burning heat of the Florida sun. There is a formal rose garden, home to seventy-five different varieties, as well as separate collections of orchids, azaleas and perennials.

Also, don’t miss the herb and butterfly gardens or, for that matter, the impressive fifty foot high floral clock.

In the Garden House  there are light refreshments, a library full of gardening books and a well-stocked gift shop.

Admission at around seven dollars is extremely good value for money, and if you should be planning a trip to Central Florida then a visit to Harry P Leu Botanic Gardens comes highly recommended.

The Boca Grande Causeway links the island to the mainland and the toll $4 per car is well worth it. Driving down the island a few miles will bring you to the village center  which apparently has hardly changed in 100 years, it is home to upscale boutiques , art galleries and fancy restaurants with prices to match. In some respects it is a carefully preserved place and indicative of Old Florida, condominiums and some lovely modern homes have been built but there are no high rises.  It is a quiet community where the locals are keen to maintain this beautiful environment and there quality of life, it is said that the Billionaires now outnumber the Millionaires. Although you may not think it when see plenty of people making there way around the island on there electric golf carts.  

If you happen to be in Boca Grande in the spring the normal relaxed atmosphere is disrupted during  tarpon season culminating in the annual tarpon run each July when fisherman descend in their droves from across Florida. The island is considered to be the best tarpon fishing spots in the World.  I am not a fisherman myself but to see some guy catch a 4 foot or so tarpon whilst stood on the beach was some sight.

Which brings to the beaches which are simply superb, the pristine white sand beaches stretch for miles on the Gulf side.  The best places to access the beach are having gone through the village centre you continue along with the gulf to your right and you will shortly come to the car park and public access to the beach. There are Beach Pavilions and

BBQ, s and toilets, and then there is the beach and the clear blue sea where you will often see Dolphins swimming close to shore. A word of warning there are no lifeguards on either of the beaches mentioned

Another beach close to the lighthouse is at the southernmost tip of the island again there are beach pavilions and this area offers lovely view of Boca Grande pass, this is the principle area for fishing and you will see numerous boats on the water. However swimming is not recommended at this beach due to the fast moving currents in the pass itself, which is a gateway to Charlotte Harbor

You can charter a boat and there is every chance you will see Dolphins, Manatees, Ospreys and if you here in the winter months White Pelicans.  Whatever you do enjoy.

There are literally HUNDREDS of gators of all shapes and sizes in different enclosures around the park. There were all sorts of other animals, snakes, birds and a petting zoo which our grown up kids loved!

Unfortunately it was such a cold day that some of the exhibits had to be kept indoors so we didn’t get to see them all. It was beautifully sunny and clear though so it was nice to walk through the trails.

I don’t know what it is about gators, they don’t really do much but they are amazing to look at are some of them were huge, including one old boy who had to be kept seperate from the others. There were some white alligators too which we have never seen before.

The shows were very entertaining, we watched gator wrestling, every time I see someone with a gator which doesn’t have it’s snout taped up I think they must be mad, these guys obviously know what they are doing though.

One part of the park is a trail through a completely undeveloped area which is the beginning of the everglades. We were thrilled to actually spot a snake off to the side. In the centre of the park is a viewing tower on different levels, if you go right to the top you can see for miles.

The last thing we did was to watch the gator show, feeding the gators and trying to get them to jump out of the water, they seem to take some motivating maybe they were too well fed or just a bit cold!  The trip took a good half day and was really interesting.

By car, take Interstate I-75 to Exit 131, Daniels Parkway, and then West to Summerlin Road to the Sanibel Causeway ($6.00 toll road).  Then take the small bridge which crosses at Turner Beach.

Captiva Island will captivate you with the serene paced lifestyle, family activities to enjoy, beautiful sugary white sand beaches sprinkled with pastel colored seashells and glistening tropical azure blue seas.  In the village of Captiva Island there are quaint shops to explore and a variety of restaurants to experience.  Golf courses in the area where you can test your mettle on the green, and the fishing and boating are unequalled.  To end a perfect day witness breathtaking brightly colored sunsets.

You will be enchanted by beautiful, alluring Captiva Island, where once, it is said, pirates roamed, conquistadors explored and Calusa Indians called home.  The mystery and adventure is still here.  Treasures to be found in the way of a good life, spectacular white sand beaches scattered with “treasures from the sea”, pastel colored seashells and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.  There are superb accommodations, restaurants and shopping.  Golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, children’s activities.

Captiva Island, is sister to larger Sanibel Island, and is just over a small bridge which crosses at Turner Beach.  Turner Beach is a great place for catching that prize fish and also for finding the colorful shells that these islands are famous for.  The beach stretches 5 miles to the northern tip of Captiva Island at Redfish Pass.  From the bridge at Turner beach, Captiva Drive is a scenic drive past giant cactus, colorful bougainvilleas and other tropical flora along a stretch of sea and sand ending at “downtown” Captiva, which is more of a village than a town.

A truly fun vacation, holiday, memorable wedding, honeymoon or just a get-a-way awaits young and old alike on Captiva Island.

Captivating Captiva Island is the perfect place for you and your family to spend a day or two of your vacation.  With Florida’s sub tropical climate Captiva Island has sunshine all year round.  Sugary white sand beaches littered with pastel colored seashells for which the area is world renowned.  The seas are a clear Caribbean azure blue.  Play golf until your heart desires, and the fishing and boating are unequaled.  For your dining pleasure there are restaurants offering “Floridian” cuisine and from casual, funky fun to fine dining.  Shopping in the village of Captiva Island is exhilarating and you will find something for everyone.

Your visit to Captiva Island is not complete without sampling some of the local fare and succulent fresh seafood.  You will find a wide selection of ethnic foods in the area.  Dine in one of the fine restaurants where chefs cook up some of the freshest, tastiest dishes you have ever tasted.  Whether you are looking to enjoy a lavish six course meal or a more casual dining scene, you will find just what you’re looking for. Bon apetit !

It is time for fun on Captiva Island.  Enjoying a sub-tropical climate and being able to be outdoors in the sunshine all year around.  There are so many activitities to choose from, fishing, golf, boating, kayaking, canoeing, tennis, swimming, bike riding.  Go boating down the waterways and view a variety of wildlife such as, dolphins, blue herons, racoons and many different species of colorful birds.  Wonderful memories for all times for everyone.

Shelling is so much fun and Captiva Island has such a variety of shells to find, just to collect and admire or use in a craft, on a mirror, lamps, boxes etc.  Captiva is one of the islands that is literarily made up of shells, created over thousands of years, and is one of the islands that is considered best in the world for shelling.  The islands geography of lying east and west rather than north and south, as most islands, allows Captiva and its sister islands to catch abundant sea shells from the Gulf of Mexico.

“Shop ’til you drop” is a motto of some island visitors.  Captiva Islands shops are clustered at the north end of Captiva Drive and on Andy Rosse Lane.  Strolling along the village paths from shop to shop, you will find antiques, casual fashions, pottery, hand painted furniture and many unique gifts for that special someone.  Then try a restaurant to have that refreshing break.

Captiva Island is such a romantic place.  Couples come from all around the world to celebrate their “special” day.  It can be a formal wedding or very informal on the sugar sand beach.  Couples come to renew their vows or celebrate an anniversary or some special date.  It can be a time fondly remembered.

By car, take Interstate I-75 to Exit 131, Daniels Parkway, and then West to Summerlin Road to the Sanibel Causeway ($6.00 toll road).

Have you ever dreamed of being on a tropical island, your toes in the soft white sand, an expansive beach, swaying coconut palms, lush tropical foliage and beautiful crystal blue water.  Imagine watching the pelicans and herons fish for their dinner, collecting “treasures from the sea,” pastel colored seashells, while the sandpipers scurry along the surfs edge.

Sanibel Island has everything one could wish for.  Excellent restaurants, accommodations, golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, shopping, bike paths, canoes, theatrical productions, the renowned J.N. “Ding Darling” National Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary.  Since 1884 Point Ybel Lighthouse has guided seafarers to Sanibel Island’s shores.

Sanibel Island is world renowned for its shelling beaches and the “Sanibel Stoop”.  In the travel industry Sanibel Island is a top Florida destination for visitors.  If you want a truly unforgettable family vacation, wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or just to get away from it all, this is the place to be.  Visit Sanibel Island and do it all, or just lay back on the beach with the book you have been waiting to read or do just absolutely nothing.

Your visit to Sanibel Island will not be complete without sampling some of the local fare and succulent fresh seafood.  You will find a wide selection of ethnic foods in the area.  Dine in one of the fine restaurants where chefs cook up some of the freshest, tastiest dishes you have ever tasted.  Whether you are looking to enjoy a lavish six course meal or a more casual dining scene, you will find just what you’re looking for. Bon apetit!

You can test your mettle on the golf courses in the area and fishing and boating are unequalled.  There are twenty five miles of bike paths for you to explore the island.  Shopping on Sanibel Island is an exhilarating experience with so many unusual items to purchase. 

Sanibel Island is home to world famous J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge its 6,000 acres of mangrove jungles and wetlands encompass a large portion of the island, it is home to dozens of endangered species, see manatees, alligators, raccoons, tropical birds and much more.  You can explore the refuge by car, foot, bicycle, kayak or guided tram.  An experience the whole family will enjoy.

The fun never stops on Sanibel Island.  Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and can residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long.  Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots.  Play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green.  A set of tennis, bike riding on the miles of bike paths, or explore the waterways by boat where you will see an abundance of wildlife from frolicsome dolphins, graceful blue herons, inquisitive raccoons and colorful birds of all species, you will enjoy a memorable experience to cherish for all time.

What fun to go shelling along the surf and beaches of Sanibel Island, unique in that it lies east and west, different than most islands which lie north and south, this direction allows Sanibel Island to catch abundant sea shells that the Gulf of Mexico brings to its shores.  Sanibel Island is world renowned for its shells.  People from all over the world come to collect and admire the colourful “Treasures From the Sea”.  You will find young and old with buckets, bags and nets shuffling long, stooping over, this stance has come to be know as “The Sanibel Stoop”

Shopping is such a fun time on Sanibel Island.  With an array of charming boutiques and gift shops, a variety of art galleries, fine jewellery, colourful shells and shell art and an exorbitant supply of souvenirs and tee shirts. You will be sure to find just what you are looking for, for that special person.

Sanibel Island offers the perfect places to get married.  An unforgettable wedding in a tropical paradise.  Couples come to Sanibel Island from all over the country to ‘tie the knot.’.  Renew your vows or celebrate your anniversary.  Whether it is formal, just family and a few friends or even barefoot on the white sand beach with pelicans as witnesses.

At Daytona Beach, you will enter a laid back world where you can don blue jeans, wear flip-flops and eat at the fanciest restaurant in town without a jacket.

Daytona Beach is a Florida getaway that does not put on airs and graces.  It is a place where you can relax and enjoy yourself at your own speed.  It is also a place where you can enjoy the finest beaches, world-class sports attractions, excellent museums, and first-class restaurants.

The beach itself is world famous.  As soon as you put on your swimsuit and step on the white sand, you will be in a different world.  Everything seems so calm.

The beach is super wide, so wide and flat that cars and trucks ride on it.  Many years ago cars actually raced on it.  The ocean is unbelievably calm and very shallow when you go in and so you do not have to fight the waves.

There are 23 miles of beautiful beaches in the Daytona Beach area. As you look down the beach in either direction, it appears that all of the waves are breaking in unison.  This symmetry is intriguing. The waves breaking slowly over and over create a calming, relaxing effect.  However, for those who to like to surf there are beaches where the waves are high and strong.

There is also a boardwalk on the beach with some exciting rides.  You could spend everyday of your vacation on the beach and many visitors do.  However, there is so much more to do and see in Daytona Beach.

The Daytona International Speedway is a must see on your visit to Daytona Beach. The Daytona 500 race is the most watched motor sports event in the world when attendance at the track and television viewing are combined.  Estimated attendance for the Daytona 500 is 200,000 and more than 29 million watch it on television.

There are tours of the Speedway, but that is only a small part of it.  Located at the Speedway is DAYTONA USA.  This is an interactive motor sports themed attraction.  This is an interesting and exciting entertainment experience for hard core race fans and also for casual observers.  It offers lots of fun for the whole family.  In addition to the thrilling interactive features, there are historical exhibits such as the Goodyear Heritage of Daytona history walk.

A good place to start your visit to DAYTONA USA is by taking a 30 minute guided tour of the Speedway.  The tour takes guests on an open-air tram through the Speedway’s garage area.  The tour is narrated and you see Pit Road, Victory Lane and the world-famous 31 degree high banks where cars race at over 200 miles per hour.

There are two new motion simulator rides at DAYTONA USA.  These are “Daytona Dream Laps” and “Acceleration Alley”.  “Daytona Dream Laps” is a ride that seats 32 guests for a full range motion experience racing at the high banks of the Speedway.  On the “Acceleration Alley” ride you hop inside a racecar, buckle up and take a simulated ride at high speeds that combines motion, video, and sound.  Other activities include going over the wall at Ford’s 16 second pit stop challenge to test your skills in a live pit stop.

One of the most popular attractions is the Daytona 500 movie, a large-screen format film presented on a screen 55 feet wide and almost three stories tall in the Pepsi Theatre. You see the movie in the realism of 3D, and with the accompanying sounds you feel as though you are behind the wheel of one of the racing cars.

Tickets for DAYTONA USA including the Speedway tour are around $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $14 for children 6-12.

If you want the real thing, for an additional charge of about $130 you can first don a racing outfit including helmet.  Then climb through the window of a racing car on the Speedway track, strap yourself in, and ride next to a race driver at high speeds around the track.

Whether or not you are a baseball fan, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark is an interesting place to visit in Daytona Beach.  This is where baseball legend Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated baseball game.  The ballpark was built in 1908, seats 3800 fans, and is the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

It is also a museum with plaques and photos documenting the life of Jackie Robinson. It explains Robinson’s childhood, how he excelled in many sports in college, and the humiliating experiences he faced as the man who broke the colour barrier in major league baseball.  It also lists many of his accomplishments such as playing in six world series and being voted MVP in 1949 in the National League.  But the one that tells it all, was that after Robinson’s retirement from baseball, his “number 42” was also retired by every major league baseball team.  It’s a real pleasure to visit this historical ballpark and watch the Daytona Beach Cubs play.  Tickets are only $5.

Another fun way to see Daytona Beach is by an amphibious adventure on a trolleyboat.  It leaves daily from the Ocean Walk Shoppes and takes you on a drive through historic Daytona Beach.  It then enters the Halifax River where you are given a narrated tour of the history and wildlife of the area with great views of the riverfront mansions.  The trolleyboat then leaves the river and drives you back to the Ocean Walk Shoppes.

At the Ocean Walk Shoppes there is lots to do.  There is a new Bandshell featuring concerts with an ocean view and a beachside theatre showing ten movies.  There is also a delightful Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant for some casual fun, good food, based on the Forrest Gump movie with plenty of Forrest’s favorite fixins.

A visit to the Museum of Arts and Sciences is a wonderful way to spend some relaxing and interesting hours in Daytona Beach.  All six permanent collections are excellent.

The Centre for Florida History collection tells the story of Florida’s historical and cultural development from prehistory to the present complete with interactive features.  It centres around a 13 foot tall skeleton of a Giant Ground Sloth which was excavated in 1975 in a fossil site called the Daytona Bone Bed.  This huge vegetarian could have weighed three to five tons and eaten a daily ration of 300 pounds of plants abundant in the area.

The Cuban Museum collection is the largest Cuban Museum in the world outside of Cuba.  It contains rare 18th, 19th, and early 20th century maps, documents, lithographs, paintings, furniture, sculpture, and ceramics arranged chronologically.  Rare photographs help establish a sense of time and place.

The Root family’s collection is not only interesting, but it also brings back a lot of memories.  This is an astounding display of more than 800 Teddy Bears, ranging from seven feet tall to only a few inches in height.  Each Teddy Bear represents a different time period or theme, and portrays everyday scenes such as a “Teddy Bear Wedding”, complete with bridesmaids, grooms, and a minister.

The Root family has also amassed one of the most historically important anthologies of the American soft drink, Coca-Cola, on which their family fortune was founded. The collection includes just about every conceivable item relating to bottling, advertising, and consumption of Coca-Cola.

The Root’s collection also includes an impressive array of decorative arts, china, silverware, and glasses collected from 85 of the nation’s railroads, hotels, and restaurants.  Two actual railroad cars are also displayed in this permanent collection.

There are still lots of other fun things to do in Daytona Beach. You can spend an hour or two at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, and climb to the top if you wish.  It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida.

Not far from the lighthouse is the Inlet Harbor Marina and Restaurant.  The seafood is fabulous. There is a lot of freshly caught fish on the menu.  It is a nice place for lunch or dinner (they have sunset specials if seated by 6 p.m.) with a lovely waterfront view.  You can dine inside or on the riverfront outdoor deck.  It is casual dining.  A live band playing on the outdoor deck added to the festive Caribbean like setting.

Greyhound racing is also another exciting attraction in the area. They race at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club. Children are welcome with a parent or guardian.

Carrabbas is a very popular place to eat great authentic Italian food.  We always try to eat there at least once when we’re in Florida.   Since it’s popular and they don’t take reservations, you could be in for a lengthy wait.   They do offer call ahead seating which we always take advantage of.  Call when you’re ready to leave and they’ll put you on the waiting list so that when you arrive, your wait will be reduced considerably.

On this last visit, we had the opportunity to go to the newer location on Vineland Avenue in Orlando just up the street from Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine.  As always, we started off with some of the wonderful appetizers.  My favorites are the bruschette of the day and the zucchini fritte (thin strips of zucchini coated with a parmesan batter and deep fried).  On that particular day, the bruschette was a tomato goat cheese topping served with slices of toasted garlic bread – delicious!  Three different starter salads are on offer, Caesar, Italian and House.  Though I chose Italian this time, I have had all three and they are all wonderful.   The Italian salad has a vinaigrette dressing whereas the House salad is served with a creamy dressing, both full of lettuce, olives and assorted veggies.  With our salads came baskets of warm crusty Italian bread with herbed olive oil for dipping. 

For the main course, there are a variety selections including pastas (of course), seafood, veal, chicken and steak all prepared in an authentic Italian manner.   I have tried many but my favorites are Chicken Bryan (grilled chicken breast topped with herbed goat cheese, basil, sun dried tomatoes and a light sauce), Veal Piccata (sauteed veal topped with mushrooms, proscuitto ham and lemon butter sauce) and Pasta Weesie (fettucini alfredo topped with shrimp, scallions and mushrooms).

There are a few choices for side items with certain entrees and a must have is the cavitappi amatriciana.  It’s a pasta dish with a delicious tomato sauce.  The sauce is excellent and we have been known to ask for a bowl of it for dipping our bread! The server always complies!

Make sure you save room for dessert!  They always have a wonderful selection on offer.  Since I love tiramisu, I almost always order this – it’s delicious!  My husband usually orders the fudge brownie with ice cream and I have to say that it is also very delicious since I usually have to sample his as well!

Bon Appetit!

Wallaby Ranch is in a secluded location near Davenport, surrounded by woodland, and yet only 20 minutes from Kissimmee.

Wallaby Ranch is an excellent place for anyone wishing to take their first hang gliding flight.  Normally, months of hill training are needed before you can launch from a mountain site, but with tandem aerotowing, you can experience the thrill of a high altitude flight straightaway.

A highly experienced hang gliding instructor flies alongside you on a tandem hang glider, which is towed up to 2000 feet in the air by an ultralight towplane.

Once released, the tandem hang glider will free-fly for 15 to 20 minutes, during which time the instructor shows you how to control the glider by shifting your weight.  And the return to the 100-acre take-off and landing field culminates in a smooth rolling landing.

These flights can be enjoyed by everyone from 4 years to 90 years of age.

The tandem flights are done in the mornings, and late afternoons, which is when the smoothest and calmest winds are experienced.  Flying starts everyday at 8.00am, weather permitting.

Take-off and landing can be done in any direction on the 100-acre field, and are therefore not bound by wind direction. 

Wallaby Ranch employ 10 full-time staff, which include professional tow pilots, experienced certified instructors and a gourmet chef to prepare breakfast and lunch.

Other Amenities

Tent & RV camping facilities

7-foot deep swimming pool

Cimbing wall

Children’s playground, with a Dr. Seuss tree house.

Mountain bike trails

Walking trails

Directions

Wallaby Ranch
1805 Deen Still Road
Davenport, FL  33897
Tel 863-424-0070

Take US-192 W, then join the I-4 W to Tampa.

Take exit #58 (Kissimmee/Champions Gate), onto Champions Gate Boulevard

Carry on past the shopping centre to the T-junction

Turn right onto Ronald Reagan Parkway/CR 54, and crossing over Hwy 27, this becomes Deen Still Road.

Wallaby Ranch is 1.7 miles from Hwy 27.

Look for the mailbox with 1805 on, and turn left down the driveway, and pull up at the office and ring the bell.

Prices

Standard Tandem Instruction (All Inclusive)                 $120.00

Tandem Flight with DVD                                              $180.00

3 Lesson Package                                                         $320.00

Advanced Tandem Thermal Instruction                        $200.00

(10 & 20 Lesson Packages also available)

Yet again more changes to the Theme Park prices, there are so many packages now it is really difficult to choose the best deal that suits your family requirements.

In readiness for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando have announced a new ticket pricing structure called “U Select”. It is similar to the Disney “Magic Your Way” ticket system where you buy a base ticket for a number of days with the option to park hop if you wish. Presumably this is to encourage visitors to stay longer than just one or two days during their vacation. Just like Disney they want you in THEIR Parks to spend your money to make up for the smaller crowds.

You can buy either a one, two, three, four or seven day pass to Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks (excluding separately ticketed events such as Halloween, Thanks Giving, Christmas Shows). If you wish to visit both parks on the same day, then you can upgrade to the park-to-park access option.

Though the adult one day ticket remains the same price at $79 plus tax, the two day ticket is considerably more expensive than it used to be. By buying three or more days then the “day rate” drops. Tickets are valid for up to 14 consecutive days from the date of first use but there is not a optional “no expiry” charge like the Disney tickets. If you are still not confused to which is the best for YOU there is more!!!

The joint Universal and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment tickets known as Orlando Flex tickets have also gone up in price by $25.

We think everyone needs to get as much information that is going to help them get the best deal and save them some money. Most home owners will do their best to help but it will still come down the the guests prefered choice.

With all of this going on, we still feel the Fun, Entertainment, Shows and the Magic is still worthwhile.

Happy Holidays

Mary & Larry